American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) experience an unprecedented burden from unintentional injuries, which is the 3rd leading cause of death for all AI/AN age groups combined, and the leading cause of death for AI/ANs age 0-44. Tribal leaders from the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board, Inc., a consortium of six Tribes in New Mexico and Colorado, recently identified injury prevention and healthy aging as two of its top four health priority areas. Consequently, this proposal centers upon the implementation of a data-driven, Part 1 TIPCAP project that uses proven evidence-based strategies to reduce the burden of unintentional injuries within our six-tribe service population. Years 1-5 will focus upon two evidence-based strategies – elder fall prevention and car seat use. In year 3, we will also introduce a third strategy – Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) prevention, which will continue through year 5. In all years, we will impart a multicomponent approach to address each selected strategy at both the environmental and individual level. It is anticipated that this approach will increase the reach of our program and the overall likelihood of project success. Specific intervention activities to promote car seat use will include: 1) child safety seat installations, inspections, and education; 2) establishment and/or enhancement of tribal policies and laws; and 3) evidence based train-the-trainer sessions for tribal health program staff on evidence based curricula for car seat safety – Child Passenger Safety (CPS) and Safe Native American Passengers (SNAP). Specific intervention activities for elder fall prevention will include: 1) home assessment and hazards corrections; 2) balance and strength group classes for tribal elders; and 3) train-the-trainer sessions for tribal health program staff on evidence-based curricula for elder fall prevention – Matter of Balance (MOB), Tai Chi, and/or STEADI. We will also implement two cross-cutting activi
ties: 1) quarterly meetings of the regional Tribal Injury Prevention Coalition established during our initial TIPCAP program, which brings together key tribal stakeholders and external partners throughout our region to share resources/expertise and foster injury prevention related collaborations; and 2) development and dissemination of culturally appropriate small media products to accompany intervention activities, which weave together important facts, data, and evidence-based recommendations for injury prevention. A combination of process and outcome evaluation approaches will be implemented throughout the project to track implementation of project activities/strategies, achievement of the intended outcomes, and areas for continuous quality improvement. AAIHB has a more than 40-year history of successfully leading high quality, tribally-responsive public health interventions throughout our region that honor the cultural and spiritual values of the six tribe consortium that we serve. We will bring this expertise, capacity, and readiness to lead this sorely needed TIPCAP program and ensure its eventual success and sustainability towards reducing the unintentional injury burden and advancing the health and wellness of the AI/AN population throughout our service area.